Nursery place and finding a job

[SchnitzelVonMum]

Apologies if this is a really stupid question, but I'm returning to the UK from abroad with a toddler and have no clue about nurseries. I plan to start work, initially part time, probably through an agency. I will therefore need to find a nursery place for my toddler.

The question is: do I find the nursery place first when I have no idea what my working hours will be, or find a job then panic-find a nursery place to fit the working hours? Are nurseries flexible or do you need to commit to set hours from the off? I'd be happy to start DD at nursery before I start work, and then change her hours to suit those of my job, if this is possible.

Any expertise would be gratefully received. I don't want to contact potential nurseries and look an idiot!

[welshweasel]

Totally depends on where you live. Round here there are 9 month waiting lists for most nurseries. Perhaps have a chat with the nurseries that you would be considering, some of them may be more accommodating. I'd say get nursery sorted first.

[SchnitzelVonMum]

thanks, that's useful info. It didn't take long at all to sort a kita spot in Berlin so I may need to adjust my expectations. Planning to call a few nurseries on Monday so i'll bear that in mind.

[GruffaloPants]

Nurseries attached to universities and further education colleges are often open to all but less likely to have waiting lists.

[SchnitzelVonMum]

Interesting, good to have another option to explore. I'll definitely look in to it, although a quick google of the nearest uni-sponsored nursery suggests they're oversubscribed.

[insancerre]

Online information is often not up to date
You are best ringing and asking about availability
I suggest you visit a few and have a shortlist so that when you do get a job it will be easier to make arrangements

[SchnitzelVonMum]

Cheers, yes, I plan to contact some regarding vacancies, fees etc. Then visit them when we're back in the UK. I just want to get it straight in my head what I want from them before getting in touch. I worry that whatever I do won't be the right thing, place first/job first.

[museumum]

Do you do shift work? Most nurseries are open 8-6 and you pay all day or half day regardless of when you drop/collect.

[BackforGood]

It completely depends if they have space or not. I know many nurseries who are happy to offer you different sessions over and above your 'core' sessions, as and when they have space, but they have to keep within numbers so can't guarantee they will be able to take your dc on another day / for different times to fit around your work.
Not many (no Nursery?) will be able to take on an ad hoc basis though - they can't keep a space 'open' for a child if that space isn't being paid for.

[SchnitzelVonMum]

I won't be doing shift work, it will be part time admin within normal working hours, so between 8-6ish. The issue is, I won't know my exact days/times of work when applying for the nursery place.

Thanks for the info BackforGood, I wouldn't expect a nursery to keep a space for me that I wasn't using, hadn't crossed my mind that this would be possible. I would initially want to book, say 2 days a week, then increase/change these sessions to fit with my working hours. I guess it will depend on the nursery and their ability to be flexible, I've not really considered a childminder, but maybe another avenue to explore?